The Lancer 39 is a cruising sailboat that was designed by the naval architect Gary Mull and produced by Lancer Yachts in the United States during the early 1980s. The design is a monohull mast‑head sloop intended for offshore and coastal cruising.
Design and Construction
- Designer: Gary Mull, noted for a series of performance‑oriented cruising yachts.
- Builder: Lancer Yachts, a company that operated out of St. Petersburg, Florida, and specialized in fiberglass production sailboats.
- Hull: Solid fiberglass polyester resin construction with a fin keel and a skeg‑hung rudder.
- Rig: Mast‑head sloop with a Bermuda rig.
Dimensions (typical specifications)
- Length overall (LOA): 39.00 ft (11.89 m)
- Length at waterline (LWL): approximately 31.00 ft (9.45 m)
- Beam: about 12.00 ft (3.66 m)
- Draft: 5.5 ft (1.68 m) with standard keel; optional shoal‑draft keel was offered.
- Displacement: roughly 16,500 lb (7,484 kg)
- ballast: around 6,500 lb (2,950 kg) of lead.
Production
The Lancer 39 was introduced in 1982 and was built for a short production run, with approximately 40 to 50 hulls completed before the model was discontinued in the mid‑1980s. Production ceased as Lancer Yachts shifted focus to smaller and larger models in its lineup.
Operational Characteristics
- The boat is recognized for a relatively low displacement-to-length ratio, providing moderate performance under sail while maintaining comfortable interior volumes.
- The interior layout typically includes a forward V‑berth, a settee‑berth, a galley, a head, and a main saloon, allowing accommodation for six to eight crew members.
- The fin keel and skeg‑hung rudder configuration offers reasonable handling and stability in a variety of sea conditions, making the Lancer 39 suitable for coastal cruising and limited offshore passages.
Legacy
Although not produced in large numbers, the Lancer 39 is noted among enthusiasts for its combination of Mull’s design philosophy—balancing speed and comfort—with the robust construction standards of 1980s American fiberglass yacht building. Existing examples are maintained by a small community of owners, some of whom have undertaken refits to modernize rigging, electronics, and interior accommodations.
References
- Mull, Gary. Designs for Sailboats (1980s).
- Lancer Yachts sales brochures, 1982–1985.
- “Lancer 39 Sailboat Specifications.” Sailing World archives, 1983.
No further notable historical or commercial significance beyond its role as a mid‑size cruiser has been documented.
